Chapter 1498: Chaos

Song Jing's sudden strike also drew numerous gazes of astonishment upon the plaza, for anyone who could appear here was practically a true elite powerhouse among this Heavenly Mirror Pagoda trial.

They hadn't expected this Song Jing, one of the Four Scholars, to suddenly make a move against Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Some gazes swept toward Diwu Mingxuan, then toward the falling luminous star, a flicker of realization in their eyes.

Li Hongyou and Xi Chan quickly came to their senses, then took their places behind Li Luo, their gazes wary and cautious as they fixed on Song Jing, who was shaking the crimson fan in his hand.

The other's fame was simply too great—one of the highest-ranked among this Heavenly Mirror Pagoda trial. His strike at this moment was most likely meant to interfere with Jiang Jiang Qinge's summoning of that luminous star. Since Jiang Jiang Qinge couldn't spare a hand, the burden could only fall on Li Luo.

On the plaza, gaze after gaze shot over with keen interest.

Some of them were ill-intentioned, including Lü Ruyan and Xi Li—people who had previously had grievances with Li Luo.

Li Luo paid no heed to those ill-intentioned gazes. His hand gripped the hilt of the Dragon-Elephant Thunder Blade, his gaze sharp as he stared at Song Jing. Though the latter was an Upper Eighth Grade Marquis Realm powerhouse, Li Luo felt not the slightest fear on account of it.

Jiang Jiang Qinge was right behind him, so let alone a mere Song Jing—even if it were a true Ninth Grade Marquis Realm powerhouse, he would not let the other party interfere with Jiang Jiang Qinge today.

"I've slain an Upper Eighth Grade before. Compared to her, your foundation still seems insufficient." Beneath Li Luo's flat words, a chilling killing intent welled up.

This Song Jing was also an extremely senior mentor in the Divine Yang Ancient Academy, his talent and foundation both quite extraordinary, but in Li Luo's perception, compared to the Qin Qin Lian of back then, there was still a considerable gap.

He didn't possess that oppressive pressure of Qin Qin Lian's.

"Is that so?"

Song Jing smiled. Above his head, eight towering Marquis Platforms surged skyward. His Marquis Platforms were like molten lava, blazing fiery red, and the moment they appeared, the temperature of heaven and earth rose along with them.

Rolling crimson divine smoke rose from the Marquis Platforms, churning the energies of heaven and earth.

"To deal with you, it should be enough." From behind Song Jing, within the crimson blaze, a piercing cry rang out. A massive Golden Crow was seen flapping its enormous wings, raising a skyful of scarlet flames.

"Song Jing, if you want to play, I'll keep you company. Trying to interfere with Jiang Jiang Qinge is a bit too shameless." Just as Song Jing was revealing his oppressive might, a cold shout suddenly rang out, and at the same time surging Light Phase power swept in, continuously purifying that skyful of scarlet flames.

The crowd looked over and saw Sheng Que'er of the Holy Light Ancient Academy, long spear in hand, the spearhead pointed squarely at Song Jing from afar.

Above her head, eight towering Marquis Platforms likewise surged skyward.

Sheng Que'er also hailed from the Holy Light Ancient Academy and had a good relationship with Jiang Jiang Qinge. Seeing Song Jing now planning to interfere with the latter, naturally she wouldn't stand idly by.

Locked onto by Sheng Que'er's spearhead, Song Jing's eyes narrowed slightly. The other party, like him, was one of the Four Scholars of this Heavenly Mirror Pagoda trial, and both had advanced to the Upper Eighth Grade realm. If she chose to step in and block him, it would truly be a bit troublesome on his end.

"Haha, Sheng Que'er, you're still so fond of meddling. Come, let me see how much your Light Phase power has improved since last time!"

And just as Song Jing hesitated slightly, a resonant laughter suddenly rang out. The laughter came accompanied by violent thunder, transforming into a skyful of lightning.

There was Zhou Jun of the Mystic Spirit Ancient Academy, trident in hand, appearing right where Sheng Que'er's spearhead was pointed. Above his head, eight Marquis Platforms flowing with Lei Guang emanated a terrifying pressure.

"Zhou Jun!"

Sheng Que'er's beautiful eyes grew slightly cold as she gazed at Zhou Jun, who had suddenly popped up. She hadn't expected this fellow to butt in—was it because Li Luo had snatched his first-clear opportunity on that Thunder Point Peak earlier? So he was seizing the present chance to take revenge?

If that truly was the case, then she would find it hard to attend to Song Jing's side, after all—Zhou Jun's strength was no less than hers.

"Hehe, Li Luo, looks like you two really are quite the nuisance. Since that's the case, shall I join in the fun too?"

And just as Sheng Que'er and Zhou Jun faced off, a coquettish laugh suddenly rang out. Lü Ruyan was seen stepping out gracefully, but on that alluring face, there was hatred.

She naturally held a grudge against Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge—after all, she had lost so much Heavenly Mirror Sand earlier, causing her assault on the Ten-Pillar Golden Platform to fail.

Following Lü Ruyan was also that Xi Li.

"Lü Ruyan, it seems the loss of that Heavenly Mirror Sand still hasn't taught you what restraint means."

The moment Lü Ruyan stepped out, another graceful figure took her place beside Li Luo. The bone-chilling cold that could freeze the void—besides Lü Qing'er, who else could it be?

Moreover, behind Lü Qing'er, two more figures followed.

One of them Li Luo had seen before—precisely the middle-aged woman he had spotted protecting Lü Qing'er when he first arrived at the Heavenly Mirror Pagoda, who seemed to be called Aunt Zhu.

This Aunt Zhu and the other figure were both Marquis Realm cultivators of the Zhong Jie Shi Qi Pin.

Clearly, these should be the strongest escort force following Lü Qing'er.

"Lü Qing'er, without Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo, you still dare stand before me!" Lü Ruyan stared at Lü Qing'er with an icy gaze and said.

"Lü Ruyan, I've endured you until now. The grudge between us should be settled today." Lü Qing'er raised her Binghu-like eyes. Within her pupils, a falling star was reflected, and upon that star, a kind of cold energy surged.

If the one Jiang Jiang Qinge had stirred was a luminous star, then this one was truly an ice star.

And this place was also the objective Lü Qing'er and Lü Ruyan had come to the Heavenly Mirror Pagoda for.

The Frost God Water was up there.

"Good. I've long wanted everyone on Golden Dragon Mountain to know that I am the one more suited to the 'Holy Ice Seed,' and a wild girl will forever be unfit for refined company!" Lü Ruyan likewise looked toward that ice star, her alluring face now faintly twisted.

Lü Qing'er paid her no more attention, but turned her head to look at Li Luo and said lightly: "I'll draw her away. You be careful on your end."

Li Luo said with some worry: "Can you handle her?"

Although this time Lü Qing'er had broken through to Unparalleled Second Grade, that Lü Ruyan had likewise broken through, her strength greater than before.

"Don't worry. I have my own methods."

Lü Qing'er's red lips pressed together slightly. In her eyes, the face of the youth before her was reflected. She wanted to say something, but in the end merely shook her head gently. Her graceful figure transformed into a streak of cold light and shot skyward, heading straight for that ice star.

Behind her, Aunt Zhu and the other Marquis Realm cultivator of the Zhong Jie Shi Qi Pin immediately followed.

"Hmph."

Lü Ruyan's face was shrouded in frost as her figure likewise shot forth.

"Tsk tsk, what a mess."

The situation in the field drew a sigh from Lin Ju of the Tianyuan Ancient Academy. As the only idle one among the Four Scholars at present, he had no intention of meddling in the grievances of these people, for he had no particular relationship with Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, or Diwu Mingxuan.

So naturally, staying out of both sides was best.

"In that case, I'll be off to seek opportunities."

Lin Ju laughed brightly, then led his people skyward, sweeping toward those falling stars.

In a corner of the plaza, Guo Guo Jiufeng watched the situation in the field with a smile, then he too stepped into the air, following behind Lin Ju, while an unfathomable gleam flickered in his eyes.